WHEN allmediascotland reported – at the end of February – that a ballot on industrial action was taking place among members of the National Union of Journalists at Express Newspapers, it predicted there might be little appetite for industrial action in the publisher’s Glasgow office.
Today, NUJ members at the publisher’s London and Broughton (near Preston) offices are, however, on strike, over a below-inflation pay offer of three per cent.
The NUJ says it’s the first first full-day strike of journalists at a major national newspaper since 1990.
The Scottish operation is therefore working as normal today.
Says NUJ General Secretary, Jeremy Dear: “Our members are standing firm in their resolve to fight for a fair deal. This strike is about low pay and broken promises. It’s incredible that management at Express Newspapers are forcing their journalists into taking this action.
“These papers, now more than ever, need properly resourced journalism, yet all the company has to offer is cutbacks and miserly pay. Over the last few weeks it has become increasingly apparent that the Express and Star don’t value their journalists. Our members have made it very clear that they will make a stand to ensure they get the recognition they deserve.”
